Thesis--Musicology--Cambridge (Mass.)--Harvard univ., 1996. / Bibliogr. p. 418-430.

Vocal Health and Repertoire for the Dramatic Mezzo-Soprano: A Suggested Course of Study brings together the fields of vocal pedagogy and performance. This curriculum guide focuses on repertoire for the Dramatic Mezzo-Soprano, ages 18-30. The guide includes selections from the genres of art song (beginning, intermediate, and advanced levels), opera and oratorio arias, concert works, and song cycles. Selected art songs and arias are presented from a vocal health perspective, using McKinney’s eight principles of Good Vocal Sound. In addition, the Comprehensive Musicianship through Performance model is integrated via the identification of a focus skill for each song or aria. This suggested course of study emphasizes proper vocal technique and offers suggestions when studying and singing the larger works of the Dramatic Mezzo-Soprano repertoire. These suggestions include recommendations gleaned from interviews with well-known mezzo-sopranos Mignon Dunn and Dolora Zajick concerning their opinions regarding repertoire, vocal health, and appropriate song and aria assignments for the Dramatic Mezzo-Soprano. The guide also includes insights into training methods for today’s young dramatic voices based on observations of The Institute for Young Dramatic Voices. Key outcomes and implications are that Dramatic Mezzo-Sopranos must take the time to develop their voices before singing the more advanced arias of the standard repertoire, such as those by Verdi and Wagner, and this can be done through the study of art song. Further, Dramatic Mezzo-Sopranos must be strong technically in their approach to singing to help ensure vocal health and to avoid excessive strain on the vocal folds at all times. Dramatic Mezzo-Sopranos must also have strong skills in musicianship and performance in order to meet the demands of the repertoire for this voice type. The information presented in this curriculum guide will assist both voice teachers and performers in the teaching and singing of repertoire for the Dramatic Mezzo-Soprano. / Review of literature -- Design and method -- Mignon Dunn, Dolora Zajick and the Institute for Young Dramatic Voices -- Curriculum guide -- Summary and recommendations. / School of Music

Mezzo-soprano roles in French opera at the end of the nineteenth century were fatalistic; that is, the y inevitably bring about min or death. This thesis studies three mezzo-soprano roles in French Romantic opera from a performer's perspective: Carmen in Georges Bizet's Carmen, Dalila in Camille Saint-Sans' Samson et Dalila and Charlotte in Jules Massenet's Werther. These three characters cause the min of three romantic heroes all performed by tenors. What are the new narrative and dramatic functions of mezzo-sopranos in French opera at the end of the nineteenth century? As a performer, it is important to understand one's voice-type, the roles that are generally attributed to it, and the impact they have on dramatic and musical representation. This short analysis will help young performers in their approach to a character in order to have a better comprehension of aIl the dimensions and subtleties that are related to it. / Les rles des mezzo-sopranos dans l'opra franais de la fin du 19ime sicle sont trs fatalistes, c'est--dire qu'ils entranent invitablement la ruine, la mort. Ainsi, dans une perspective d'interprte, cette thse se penche sur trois rles fminins de mezzosoprano de l'opra franais romantique la fin du 19ime sicle : Carmen dans l'opra du mme titre de Georges Bizet, Dalila dans Samson et DWa de Camille Saint-Sans ainsi que Charlotte dans Werther de Jules Massenet. Ces trois personnages occasionnent la perte de trois hros romantiques tous interprts par des tnors. En ce sens, quelles sont les nouvelles fonctions narratives et dramatiques des mezzo-sopranos dans l'opra franais du 19ime sicle? En tant qu'interprte, il est important de bien comprendre notre type de voix, les rles qui lui sont gnralement attribus, l'impact de ceux-ci dans les histoires opratiques et dans leur reprsentation musicale. Cette courte analyse permettra de jeunes interprtes de les guider, de les aider dans leur approche d'un personnage et de mieux comprendre toutes les dimensions et les subtilits qui s'y rattachent.